Many people who relapse after a period of abstinence from drug or alcohol abuse usually feel disappointed and confused about what to do next. Experiencing a relapse is by no means a failure. Instead, what matters most is how you respond to the situation. Will you prevent yourself from seeking help and let the relapse escalate, or will you go back to rehab even after relapse?

The good news is that there is hope at Atlanta Detox Center, whether you or a loved one needs residential addiction treatment or detox after relapse. Reach out to us today or connect with us at 470-450-2355 to continue your journey towards lifelong sobriety.

What Is Relapse?

When someone completes detoxification and rehabilitation from drug or alcohol abuse, many people believe that the journey to recovery is complete. However, this is not the case because relapse is always a possibility. To put it simply, a relapse occurs when someone that has achieved a period of sobriety returns to using drugs or alcohol.

The rate of relapse in the US is relatively high. Many studies have shown that 40% to 60% of people who go through an addiction recovery program in America experience relapse. This is because addiction is a chronic disease that leads to certain brain alterations that usually persist well beyond the completion of detoxification and rehabilitation.

Going Back to Rehab After Relapse

Whether or not you need to go to rehab after relapse is dependent on several factors. If the relapse incident is not quite severe and you are committed to amending your recovery plan to prevent it from happening again, you may not need to go back to rehab.

However, if you find that you have fallen back to the old pattern of continued substance abuse and are starting to find it challenging to get back on track, you might need to consider getting back to a rehab treatment program. This is to help you get back on track towards lifelong recovery.

Going Back to Detox After Relapse

Whether or not the relapse is prolonged enough to cause severe withdrawal symptoms when you stop using a drug, a program that includes a detox phase may be necessary for you. This is because you need to break the cycle of addiction once again, starting with detox. You should also note that detoxing on your own without medical supervision is never the best idea.

Prevention of Relapse

While relapse may sometimes be unavoidable in an individual’s journey towards achieving lifelong recovery, there are some steps you can take to avoid a full-blown relapse.

Some relapse prevention techniques include:

  • Avoiding triggers that evoke a powerful urge to use
  • Learning coping skills that can help you manage unavoidable triggers
  • Having a solid support network and actively participate in a support group
  • Learning how to avoid and handle stressful situations
  • Setting healthy boundaries from bad influences
  • Attending relapse prevention classes or groups

Continue Your Recovery Journey After Relapse at Atlanta Detox Center

The decision to go back to detox or rehab after relapse can be quite challenging for many people due to a misplaced sense of shame and guilt. But you should never forget that recovery is a long and arduous lifelong journey that has its ups and downs. So, relapse is not a failure but rather a part of your recovery.

If you or a loved one is struggling with relapse, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at Atlanta Detox Center. Our drug detox center is always available to help our patients get back on their journey to lifelong sobriety. Reach out to us today through our online form or contact us at 470-450-2355.

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